A results-oriented leader, he consistently demonstrates the ability to establish rapport and connect with diverse constituencies at all levels in public, private and non-profit sectors. He possesses refined business skills honed by working in entrepreneurial, mission-driven environments, brings confidence to implementing strategy and knows how to balance business goals with mission.

Find meaning in every conversation – it’s not how long the conversation lasts; it’s how good it is.

— Benjamin Ola Akande

An engaging and compelling communicator, Dr. Akande is regularly sought out as a commentator by national media. He has appeared on Anderson Cooper 360, CBS Evening News and St. Louis affiliates of FOX, ABC and NBC. His commentaries have appeared in USA TODAY, Financial Times and on public radio’s “Marketplace.”

Dr. Akande served as the 21st President of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri from 2015-2017, where he made substantial gains in developing the infrastructure necessary for the college’s long-term sustainability. This included transformational changes in academic offerings, outreach, budget, financial modeling, marketing (re-branding), communication and institutional advancement.

As tenured Professor of Economics and Dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis from 2000-2015, Dr. Akande is credited with building the school’s reputation, and positioning it as a globally relevant business school. He developed numerous corporate/donor partnerships which played a leading effort in securing the largest donation in the University’s history.

Dr. Akande holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and completed post-doctoral studies at JFK School of Government, Harvard University and Saïd Business School at Oxford University.

Dr. Akande was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the city’s “Most Influential Leaders,” 2007-2012. In more than twenty-five years as a professor and leader, he has invested significant personal involvement and tireless efforts to contribute to the transformation of public and private institutions and organizations. He is passionately committed to the success of people in organizations, and has nurtured and mentored many executives.

Dr. Akande is a consultant to Fortune 500 companies and institutions in the higher education space in the areas of strategy, leadership, corporate responsibility and market positioning. He served as a director of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., a $5 billion publicly traded manufacturer of high quality private food labels, including Post. During his tenure at Ralcorp, the company yielded total returns of the company’s shares against the S&P 500 index of 77.04%. In concert with the Board, he played an instrumental role in numerous strategic acquisitions made by Ralcorp and the spin-off of Post. Dr. Akande consulted for such corporations as Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Voith, SeaWorld, and many others.

Dr. Akande currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Argent Capital, a $4 billion asset management company. He is a member of the Board of Enterprise Bank & Trust ($5 billion assets), serving on the Regulatory and Compliance Committee. He currently serves on the non-profit boards of Forest Park Forever, one of the nation's largest public parks, the Saint Louis Club and the Saint Louis Art Museum. In addition, Dr. Akande is a member of the Danforth Plant Science Center Leadership Council. He is on the Advisory Board of FDC Fundação Dom Cabral, the top-ranked business school in Brazil.

Dr. Akande has the experience to recognize when to take calculated risks and the confidence to make tough business decisions. He believes that the future belongs to those who can see it. Dr. Akande and his wife, Bola, a pharmacist, have three adult daughters.

A dynamic, engaging, and inspirational speaker with a knack for audience connection, Benjamin Akande speaks frequently nationally and internationally on a variety of critically important matters relevant today and tomorrow. Example Topics:

CONSULTING ENGAGEMENTS

Benjamin Akande has more than 20 years of consulting with Fortune 500 companies and private enterprises in a wide variety of industries with special attention to leadership and corporate culture. As a corporate board member and high-performing executive, Benjamin has seen many sides of organizations from many roles. He's prepared to help your organization see around the corner on the toughest challenges you face.